More than 1,000 Ecuadorian military personnel are deployed in Duran, one of the most violent cities in the coastal province of Guayas, in an operation to reduce insecurity and organized crime. AFP embedded with the security forces as they seized shotguns, firearms and drugs during multiple raids on houses. Helicopters and dozens of tanks patrolled the streets. This is part of President Daniel Noboa's war against drug violence, with him warning the gangs that "their hours are numbered". IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES